(first posted 9/1/2013) When I saw this Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Murano CC), I recalled a Car and Driver review of the Saab Sonett II. The review suggested you were better off telling your neighbors you built the Sonett II yourself, rather than admitting to paying the car’s actual asking price. Looking at the Murano CC, I have exactly the same thought.
Considering the changes Nissan made to the Murano to create this CUV convertible (chopped the roof, new doors, rear quarter panels, and rear deck), it’s no surprise the asking price is North of $45,000. Unfortunately, the end result is more far more home built than classic.
I’m not sure how rare this Murano is (Nissan does not break the CC out of other Murano sales), but it’s clear the monthly sales rate could be figured using an abacus or other manual tracking device.
In fact, an Edmunds.com article called the Murano CC a sales failure over a year ago, and included this interesting chart showing us the failure in graphic form. I do find it remarkable that at the time, three Murano CCs plied the open roads of North Dakota. Oil field workers with excess bonus money burning a hole in their pockets?
Sharp eyed readers may have already noted this Murano has not made the leap into private ownership. The California distributor plate numbered “562” indicates Nissan still maintains possession of this car. It may be part of the corporate pool, or out for an extended media review, but the plate means it hasn’t yet appeared on a monthly sales report.
Maybe they are part of the Florida-registered contingent, but I regularly see at least two of these things cruising around Pittsburgh. I say ‘at least two’ because I suspect that there are actually two in the crystal blue shade, given the frequency of the sightings, on top of one in the hue of the lead photo.
I guess if you NEED AWD, four useable seats, a power top, and ample ground clearance it sort of makes sense. Sort of… Maybe?
“I guess if you NEED AWD, four useable seats, a power top, and ample ground clearance it sort of makes sense. Sort of… Maybe?”
It’s a horse designed by a committee!
I’m the moron that bought the Murano CC. It drives like a boat. Bought it in Jacksonville, FL. The dealer had purchased twelve in 2011 and still had two in 2012. It was a good price. Gas mileage sucks, as does the turning radius. The door IS huge, and getting it in and out of the garage on my 1933 house involves pinching my cheeks together. It is comfortable, though, ridding high. I can get in without crawling on the ground. Would I do it again? Probably not, but its too late for buyers remorse. I learned to drive in an Edsel, and perhaps the Murano CC will someday become a collectors item. It sure does turn heads.
I have seen 2 of these in person. 1 was brought to Vancouver by a dealer so he could have the only one for sale in Canada. I have seen 1 on the road in Portland OR of all places. I am guessing more than a few will end up in Palm Springs. It seems like the right car for The Desert.
I never understood why this vehicle was not developed with a RHT instead of the soft top. Surely they could have styled it better, and there couldn’t be a problem finding room to package it in the space behind the rear seats. Maybe it just came down to cost. But even then, the people buying these things don’t seem to mind paying the asking price…
You can bet there would be issues finding room – assuming they wanted to have a trunk you could use with the top down. That is one of the reasons the M-B E-class convertible is still a rag top.
I snapped this photo of the only one I’ve seen in the wild here in Oklahoma. Rare beast here for sure. I would think Hawaii, Florida and California would make up 99.9% of Murano CC sales. It’d be the perfect Hawaii vehicle. A 4 seat SUV convertible like a Jeep, so it could go up mountain gravel roads and cross little streams with no problems, but more comfortable and easy to drive for tourists.
PS- Could the Murano CC win the title of biggest door of all time? I noticed at a car show when I sat in one, it’s absolutely gigantic. It has the length of the “absolutely never park next to” F-body’s, Thunderbird’s or Monte Carlo’s, combined with the height of an SUV. In overall area of door surface it has to be way up there.
I live in northern Florida and have only ever seen 1 or 2. Even as a used vehicle they must be an incredibly difficult vehicle to sell.
Oddly, when I see one I think it looks okay, but it just sits up so high (a consequence of its being an SUV). It kind of reminds me of the vehicles that I see on auto transport trucks that border on unidentifiable because they are under ” a mountain ” of white plastic or cloth. It also kind of looks like a Tesla if they made a Model X as a 2 door convertible.
This is the one car that makes the Nissan Juke look attractive…The sales failure of this will hopefully make other carmakers think twice before attempting similar things. Although I still have to commend Nissan for at least trying something different.
I saw one of these on the Edens Expressway in the Chicago area last week.
I don’t get it.
Seen one, thats actually enough
“… I recalled a Car and Driver review of the Saab Sonett II. The review suggested you were better off telling your neighbors you built the Sonett II yourself, rather than admitting to paying the car’s actual asking price. Looking at the Murano CC, I have exactly the same thought.”
Boy do I miss Car and Driver!
I remember another piece of advice they once offered: “Don’t do bodywork when high.”
I too have C/D quips stuck in my head for over three decades. I’ve posted on this site before (forget where) about a cramped back seat described as “suitable only for transporting Roman busts and double-amputees.”
And here, for those who don’t know, is what the ugly-duckling SAAB in question looked like.
I live in MA, near the RI line; I regularly see a robin’s egg blue CrossCabriolet. I think it’s owned by a hairdresser; no surprise there. I have seen maybe two or three others on the road, and I have also seen several on a Nissan dealer’s lot.
This year’s (infamous) Boston Marathon was sponsored by Nissan, so there were several 370Z, CrossCabriolet, and Titan timing cars.
If you think about it, the Murano CC is technically the closest competitor to the Jeep Wrangler on the market, but only in the sense that it’s an open-air 4WD/AWD compact SUV. At any rate, Jeep definately isn’t losing sleep over it
Kind of like a modern day Jeepster, actually. And even less successful.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1950-willys-jeepster-another-brooks-stevens-beauty/
This definitely is very close in concept to what became known as a SUV. All of the original versions were designed with a removeable/convertible top.
On the plus side, that extra rear window pointing at the clouds provides excellent upward visibility.
If Nissan really feels the need for an open-air AWD CUV in their lineup, they’re going to have to design one from scratch. Doing a hatchet job on the Murano just doesn’t work.
There are some modern cars that should come in a convertible version. This is not one of them and seems like the most random idea for a car.
Come to think of it, we could wonder why Nissan didn’t tried to do an Altima convertible?
I would like to see a 4 door Altima wagon! I would own one if they made it.
Convertible Altima wouldn’t look bad on the coupe.
Given the Wrangler comparisons, one wonders why the Xterra wasn’t the recipient of the convertible treatment, unless it was deemed pointless due to an upcoming redesign (but then again, so is the Murano), or perhaps the overall price with the convertible conversion was deemed too high for an Xterra model.
I’m really surprised that there is only 1 registered in HI. I would think the rental car companies would own a few as I would think they would be able to charge a pretty high rate for them as a “premium” convertible. They have typically had a lot of Mustang and Sebring/200 Convertibles in their fleets. I could see them charging a double premium for it, one for it being a Convertible and one for it being a SUV.
I have seen one in the wild in WA and it had it’s top down at the time.
It seems like a lot of development money to spend on a segment that has never ever caught on. I’m thinking of the Jeepster, the Suzuki X-90, the Chevy SSR.
And apparently, Nissan is not the only one who has ample dough to spend on toys that many people want but will never buy. This Dub never made it accross the pond.
That image is a joke VW did for the Mexican version of April Fool’s day.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/practical-joke-of-the-day-vw-touareg-cabrio/
Joke or not it’s far better looking then the CC
Costco had one of these things sitting outside its store in Chantilly, VA plugging its car buying service. It was so scary looking it drove customers away.
I live in southwest Ontario, Canada, and a gay couple that cut hair and sell antiques have one. I never realized how rare they are, but I’m thankful because its an awful looking thing!
I just read and article about this. Nissan has sold 1078 units since it went on sale over a year ago. It is the worst selling car in North America in 10 years. I have never seen one outside of an auto show, I guess I’m not missing much, but does rarity always equal future classic?
Believe or not there is actually one of these running around beautiful Saskatoon Saskatchewan. First time I saw it thought the same as others, owner had it done aftermarket. Then second time I googled it and found out it was factory. That small upper rear window looks as functiional as the Honda CRZ near horizontal rear hatch window. Which of course has it’s own little wiper assembly. Not sure what it cleans and what you see out of the window- planes?…
One of the five in Vermont is driven to work to Townshend VT and parked near the High School when school is in session. Looks so out of place, which is probably true anywhere on this planet.
I wonder if most of the 140 Murano CCs registered in Texas are in either the Dallas or Houston areas….now I am going to be on the lookout for these beasts!
I know of at least one in Massachusetts. A house I drive by often has a sea green color one in the driveway next to a new orange Challenger.
seems to be that the people at Nissan no longer care. Basically, everything is a variant of the Altima. I guess this is the convertible for affluent older crowd who have trouble getting in and out of cars.
Apparently this car was built because Carlos Ghosn’s wife wanted one. Why they couldn’t have just built one would be a very interesting story…
Saw a retail unit on LaBrea in same color combo. This one had custom rims, exhaust outlets, step rails and a Lucky Star license plate frame.
Does not the dude from the show ” sister wives ” drive one?…I had thought it had somewhat explained things, but then again, maybe not…anyway, this thing made some of those god awful ASC chopjobs from the ’80’s look really good…
The PT Cruiser could have been a plausible two-door convertible if it had been given distinctive rear sheetmetal that resulted in a 1930s roadster look. The Murano, in contrast, just doesn’t make any sense to me. One wonders how the conversation went when top Nissan management green-lighted this beast.
As a point of process, is it okay to republish a copyrighted graphic from another automotive website?
Yes. That’s specifically why Edmunds has it marked “source: Edmunds.com”. That’s so that other sites can’t try to pawn it off as their own.
The internet etiquette (supported more or less by copyright law) is that it’s ok to use a picture, graphic or some quotes from another site, as long as there’s an identification as to the original source, and it’s only used as a part of a new piece of original work, like here. That’s pretty much the definition of “fair use”.
Often, I can’t even source images I find on the web because it’s obvious that it’s not the original source, but has already been passed around a few times. It’s rather silly to say “image source:xyz.com” when xyz.com obviously got it somewhere else.
Truth is, it would be a very rare occurrence where someone is truly unhappy to see an image of their car used here, as it’s usually being done so in an appropriate way. We’re not exactly “selling” other folks images. But we try to acknowledge original source when it’s clear that there is one.
In all the years doing this, I’ve only had one request to add a source acknowledgement where there was none, and I’ve had numerous folks e-mail telling me they were happy to see their car shown here.
Of course, that’s just when we need an image we don’t have. The overwhelming majority of our posts are with photos we all have shot ourselves, of course.
Good to know. I come out of the print era, which had a rather different attitude. Am right about now starting to feel really old.
Whoever OK’d that car for production should fall on his sword. It’s the only honorable thing that person could do.
Kudos to Nissan for building this and the fun to drive Juke.
There are several driving here in CT Ive seen at least 5-6 in the wild all driven by women in the 50 + range. I usually see them in affluent towns too so my guess is they are bought as 3 rd or 4th cars.
I wish they had put their energy into making a 2-door XTerra instead. Or not turning the Pathfinder into a CUV that looks someone left the previous-gen Pathfinder out in the sun too long and it started to melt.
Jamie Kittman said when the Pontiac Aztec came out “If this is what happens when the designers think outside the box, then please get back in the box!” I think this would apply to the Murano too.
A Sonnett II with a small diesel with around 100 horses and a 5 or 6 speed tranny would be a fun and economical commuter.
I see tons of these where I live (palm springs)
This is what happens when a case of beer infiltrates Nissan engineering after hours.
nah, more like bath salts.
The idea of an open-top SUV really isn’t that bad. It’s just that open tops don’t translate well with today’s whacko styling trends. If nothing else, it’s probably the most spacious convertible available and, aside from harkening back to the days of the Jeepster, it could also appeal to someone looking for the equivalent of the old full-size convertible cars that last saw the light of day in the early seventies.
That’s really the biggest issue with the Morono convertible: its dismal failure in the marketplace has virtually assured that no one else is going to even ‘think’ about building an open-top SUV (at least not for a long time).
The last time someone even considered a big convertible was the Marauder concept. Too bad the idea quitely died when the Marauder turned out to be a flop:
Ah, but surely it looks much better with the roof down, no?
Uh, no.
Jeez, and to think second-gen Javelins get called “Humpsters”!
Even at half the current MSRP, I can’t envision them selling any. If it were anyone besides Nissan, it would definitely fall into the “What were they thinking?” category.
But since it’s Nissan, purveyor of stuff like the Leaf, Juke, and Cube, well…
The Quasimodo of autos.
Separated at birth
I’m the moron that bought the Murano CC. It drives like a boat. Bought it in Jacksonville, FL. The dealer had purchased twelve in 2011 and still had two in 2012. It was a good price. Gas mileage sucks, as does the turning radius. The door IS huge, and getting it in and out of the garage on my 1933 house involves pinching my cheeks together. It is comfortable, though, ridding high. I can get in without crawling on the ground. Would I do it again? Probably not, but its too late for buyers remorse. I learned to drive in an Edsel, and perhaps the Murano CC will someday become a collectors item. It sure does turn heads.
I’m glad you got a good deal
Ignore the hate Tom. I’ve sat in one at an auto show and have seen them on the road. Car looks fine, more than fine actually. It was only after reading all of the reviews that I realized the Murano CC had two faults, a very high price and cowl shake. Since you got a discount I need only ask about the last one, cowl shake. Is it as bad as guys like Dan Neil (WSJ) were saying?
The poor, maligned Murano CC. The car has given 1000s of morning bloggers a chance to brush up their best quips, which let’s face it is the reason most of them go to work (so to speak). Dan had that as an excuse to wobble all over it, with some of his best lines ever. He must have felt like Jon Stewart the day after that famous Rick Perry debate.
Then their followers amplified the message and here we are. Has anyone who commented this week except me sat in one? No. Has anyone driven one? No. Does anyone have a friend who owns one? No. Does everyone feel fully capable of commenting? Yes.
I image you bought yours before reading these highly informed online opinions. Of course it’s not going to handle well, it wasn’t meant to. But from my experience at the show it should be just about perfect for going out to dinner with another couple on a warm night — the rear seat was big and easy to get in/out of. I know folks who have one and use it to visit their local wineries. Seems like a great car for a retired couple.
Are there any things you like about the Murano (you mentioned comfort) or have the quipsters soured you on it completely?
Seriously if you aren’t putting many miles on the car and have covered parking take great care of it and it should reward you with very high resale value (see T100 truck). You will have the last laugh with a lower cost of ownership than any of the online “experts”.
If these things have any decent reliability as they age, this could be the perfect set of exclusive/cheap/oddball wheels that I am occasionally drawn to. No way would I pay full price for a new one, but someday, there will be a few lucky people who buy these on the cheap and enjoy them for the oddities they are.
I knew it. I remember seeing this story of how a man with dementia bought one. It took me about an hour to find it. Read this.
http://consumerist.com/2012/03/12/who-is-to-blame-when-car-dealer-sells-62k-nissan-to-man-with-dementia/
Well, persons not in their right mind would seem to be the target market for this model. I’d guess even Nissan’s market research found the mentally unstable to be the CrossCabriolet’s prime demographic.
Also? Sixty-two thou! Sixty-two thou!
It’s worth noting that the 62 large included $10k worth of dealer add-on crap. Quite obviously, these guys really took advantage of the situation.
But with all the bad publicity, looks like they got the dealership to take the car back:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/nissan-murano-crosscabriolet-bought-by-man-with-dementia.html
It does open up possibilities for a new ad campaign, though:
“Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: The SUV for the certifiably crazy!”.
that’s really slimy. I’m sure they knew he was off but didn’t care and pushed it on him regardless. Have you guys ever seen the John Landis Documentary entitled “Slasher” about a mercenary salesman who is called in to move product??? or the Movie “Suckers” Pretty much sum up the industry in a nutshell.
I saw one parked on the street and another at one of the Nissan dealers lot. Nissan’s ugly styling seems to know no limits. This one however takes the cake.
OK, I confess that there’s SOMETHING I like about these. I saw one on the highway a year or so back with the top down. Wifey asked: “What was that?” I replied: A Nissan Cross-Cabriolet.” She said: “Huh?” I said: A Murano convertible.”
Her reply? “I like it”!
I suppose it’s the drop-top that appeals to us. I’m sorry…
Ever since I saw it with the top down, I’ve been trying to think what the tall doors and deep-dish interior reminds me of — besides Quasimodo, that is.
It just came to me now: one of those walk-in/sit-down bathtubs for seniors.
I will go on record saying I kind of like these. The one at the local Nissan dealer looked pretty sharp in aqua too. I took this picture nearly a year ago, but I wonder if it’s still there.
Murano CrossCabriolet, Juke, Cube…I think Nissan is the AMC of our era when it comes to quirky styling. And I like AMCs too!
I can’t cite anything, but I seem to recall reading that this was cooked up at the behest of Carlos Ghosn’s wife.
It’s an oddball for sure, and the AWD would be pointless but for perhaps two things; you really want to daily drive a convertible as your only car in the snow belt, or you frequently drive on sand beaches.
I rather like it, but then I also liked the Honda Crosstour. That pairing would probably make for a one of kind garage!
Since the US has pretty much adopted the tall car as the default transportation device, offering something besides just wagon bodies makes sense in a lot of ways, but the public’s rejection of the Murano CC and the Crosstour make clear a lack of buyer interest.
Honda Crosstour….
The VW T-Roc Cabriolet actually looks pretty good for being the same concept, but that’s because the original model looks more “raised hatchback” than “bulbous wagon” like the Crosstour and Murano.
Like pretty much everyone else, I was never impressed with the Murano CC. As is typical with these kinds of failure, the concept of a larger convertible wasn’t particularly bad, it was just Nissan’s execution of it was bad.
As the third biggest Pacific Rim auto company, seems like Nissan was/is always trying something bizarre and out-of-the-box to try and create a niche where none existed before since Toyota and Honda have the mainstream markets sewn up. The Murano was like a halo vehicle that just didn’t have anything going for it and was doomed to fail from the start.
OTOH, I thought the Crosstour would have been a terrific place for a PHEV instead of the Clarity, but someone said the way it way it was configured made it untenable. I guess the sticking point was the Crosstour’s hatchback (a key feature), that bodystyle wouldn’t have the structure to support a mid-size PHEV 5-door sedan.
“Have you driven a Gourd… lately?”
I worked with a guy who purchased one new. I’ve been scratching my head ever since.
These things never did anything for me. Can’t remember the last time I saw one. And believe me, I WOULD remember it!
These things took the bizarre town car padded top to its illogical “open end”. I saw one once about three years ago. It was on a highway and the top was down. The driver looked like he was piloting a convertible tugboat. I don’t think I could have absorbed the astonished stares. I guess I’m just insecure.
You have to admire Nissan’s chutzpah in bringing it out though. Those stillborn ideas are guaranteed Edsel’s of the future as owner Tom Speer said in 2013. I wonder what the status of his ownership is now?
There is one car of this ilk that I would consider owning. I have a 90 Mazda Miata and it’s a bit of a struggle to get out of it for this aging fellow. It has struck me that the Suzuki X 90 is the perfect “step in sports car” for geriatrics…
What was Nissan thinking when they designed this thing? It reminds me a lot of the AMC Pacer; another answer to a question that nobody asked.
I’d be curious to know how many of these were sold new in Japan. For that matter, I’d also be curious how many Titans/Tundras are sold new there, too. I have found a 2012 Titan for sale on one of the Japan used/export lots before. Full US sized pickups are rare but not fully excluded from Tatra87’s pics.
I see one of these butt ugly things all the time. Parked behind a strip mall. Every time I’m waiting in the Walgreens drive thru I look over and most times, there it is. Time to reach for the barf bag.